Location detection system for use with gaming devices and method of use

Abstract

A location detection and tracking system for use in a casino. The system includes several gaming devices that are configured to allow a player to place a wager and to play a game. A player locator device is configured to transmit at least one location of the player. A server is in communication with the gaming devices and the player locator device. The server determines a first location of the player, accesses a database of player preference parameters and selects at least one of the player preference parameters. A gaming device that is in proximity to the first location can be determined and the selected player preference parameter can be downloaded to the gaming device. The server causes the gaming device to display the selected player preference parameter.

1 . A gaming system comprising:
 (A) a plurality of gaming devices, the gaming devices configured to allow a player to place a wager and to play a game;   (B) at least one player locator device configured to transmit at least one location of the player; and   (C) a server in communication with the gaming devices and the player locator device, the server being adapted to:
 (a) determine a first location of the player; 
 (b) access a database of player preference parameters; 
 (c) select at least one of the player preference parameters; 
 (d) determine a first gaming device that is in proximity to the first location; 
 (e) download the selected player preference parameter to the first gaming device; and 
 (f) cause the first gaming device to display the selected player preference parameter. 
   
   
   
       2 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the player detection device comprises a radio frequency identification device. 
   
   
       3 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the server determines a second location of the player. 
   
   
       4 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the server calculates a future location of the player. 
   
   
       5 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the player preference parameter is a type of game. 
   
   
       6 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the first gaming device displays a first game that is preferred by the player. 
   
   
       7 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the server is in communication with a sign. 
   
   
       8 . The gaming system of  claim 7 , wherein the server accesses the database of player preferences, determines a player message and causes the sign to display the player message. 
   
   
       9 . A method of operating gaming devices, not necessarily in the order shown comprising:
 (A) receiving a signal indicative of a patron position;   (B) determining a first location of the patron;   (C) accessing a database of patron preference parameters;   (D) selecting at least one of the patron preference parameters;   (E) determining a first gaming device that is in proximity to the first location;   (F) downloading the selected patron preference parameter to the first gaming device; and   (G) causing the first gaming device to display the selected patron preference parameter.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 (A) determining a second location of the patron; and   (B) calculating a third location where the patron may move to in the future.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 (A) determining a second gaming device that is in proximity to the third location;   (B) downloading the selected patron preference parameter to the second gaming device; and   (C) causing the second gaming device to display the selected patron preference parameter.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 (A) receiving a plurality of signals indicative of positions of a group of patrons;   (B) determining a plurality of locations of the group of patrons;   (C) accessing a database of patron preference parameters of the group of patrons; and   (D) determining at least one common patron preference parameter.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 (A) determining a plurality of gaming devices that are in proximity to the locations of the group of patrons;   (B) downloading the common patron preference parameter to gaming devices; and   (C) causing the gaming devices to display the common patron preference parameter.   
   
   
       14 . A gaming system comprising:
 (A) a plurality of gaming devices, the gaming devices adapted to allow a player to place a wager and to play a game;   (B) at least one player locator device adapted to communicate a player position;   (C) a server in communication with the gaming devices and the player locator device, the server having a processor; and   (D) software operable on the processor to:
 (a) determine a first position of the player; 
 (b) identify the player; 
 (c) select at least one player preference parameter associated with the player from a database of player preference parameters; 
 (d) determine a first gaming device that is in proximity to the first position; 
 (e) determine a first display to be shown on the first gaming device; and 
 (f) cause the first gaming device to show the first display. 
   
   
   
       15 . The gaming system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 (A) determining a second position of the player; and   (B) forecasting a third position where the player may move to.   
   
   
       16 . The gaming system of  claim 15 , wherein a path of travel of the player is determined. 
   
   
       17 . The gaming system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 (A) determining a second gaming device that is the vicinity of the third position; and   (B) causing the second gaming device to show the first display.   
   
   
       18 . A gaming system comprising:
 (A) means for allowing a player to place a wager and to play a game;   (B) means for determining a player position;   (C) means for identifying the player;   (D) means for determining at least one player parameter associated with the player; and   (E) means for selecting a first gaming device that is in proximity to the player position, accessing data associated the player parameter and displaying the data associated with the player parameter on the first gaming device.   
   
   
       19 . The gaming system of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 (A) means for determining a travel path of the player.   
   
   
       20 . The gaming system of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 (A) means for selecting a second gaming device along the path; and   (B) means for accessing data associated with the player parameter and displaying the data associated with the player parameter on the second gaming device.   
   
   
       21 . The gaming system of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 (A) means for identifying a plurality of players; and   (B) means for accessing a database of player parameters and determining a common player parameter.